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Classroom

2020 TEXAS CPA TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE - WEBCAST ONLY


Total Credits: 16

Average Rating:
   296
Categories:
Conference Webcast |  Partner Produced |  Technology
Faculty:
Randy Johnston, MS |  Stephen Yoss, CPA, MS |  Brian Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA |  Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA
Course Levels:
Overview
Duration:
32 Hours 30 Minutes
License:

Dates
Schedule at a glance



Description

This is the WEBCAST ONLY virtual classroom for the 2020 TEXAS CPA TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE - ADDISON

DAY ONE

8 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. - Tech Update - A 2020 Vision
You know where technology has been, but where is it headed? What technologies are coming that would be useful to you and your company? You’ve heard about 5G, WiFi6 and collaboration, but what products work to make this practical? This session has the breadth, depth and recommendations to help you understand what is in the market and what is working so that you can make informed decisions. Attend this session to learn how using the right hardware and software can improve your business and your everyday life. Topics:

  • Hardware trends
  • Software innovations
  • Communication and collaboration tools
  • Unusual technologies you might have missed
  • Key products to consider for implementation

 9:40 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. | Break

 9:50 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Concurrent Sessions

Transforming Your CPA Firm
CPA firms are going through significant regulatory and technology changes. Do you want your firm to be transformed or to lag? What is the impact of the cloud, niche verticalization, software upgrades and client demands on your team and the partners’ profitability? Are you ready to navigate the new generation software? This session will provide separate road maps outlining small and larger firm choices in technology. Attend this session to get an independent overview of the state of technology in the profession. Topics:

  • CPA firm centric hardware
  • Software changes
  • Technology options for your firm
  • Specific technologies to improve productivity and profitability
  • Strategic products to consider for implementation

Mastering Advanced Excel Functions and Formulas
Excel now has approximately 500 functions, many of which are unused by most accounting and finance professionals. This two-hour session will put you on the path to improved Excel productivity by introducing you to powerful and timesaving, but little used, Excel functions. If you want to improve your knowledge and efficiency with Excel, this session is a must for you. Topics:

  • Using financial functions to calculate loan payments, depreciation and cash flows
  • Retrieving summarized data with the GETPIVOTDATA and CUBEVALUE functions
  • Making sophisticated calculations with array formulas

Integrating and Sharing Data
The number of apps, services, platforms, etc. that we use increases every year. The amount of data we collect and process is expanding at an exponential rate. There is a need to standardize, streamline and optimize our ability to manage the ever-growing list of systems and their data. Conquering your data can help improve efficiency and effectiveness, while reducing cost and errors inside an organization. In this session, you will learn various ways to share data easily between different applications, platforms and services. Further, you will learn about tools, desktop application functionalities and programming tools to manage this process. Topics:

  • Data sharing and management
  • Databases and relational data
  • Power Query and Power BI
  • Zapier, IFTTT and more
  • The cost and benefits of various data sharing techniques and approaches to an organization
  • Constructing and building data sharing and integration processes using widely available tools, such as Power Query, Power BI and more

 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Lunch

12:30 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions

Envisioning Your Mid-Market Accounting Solution
Businesses are being transformed by upgrading their accounting solutions. In this new world of Software as a Service, and workflow-enabled, data-centric and connected solutions, business problems can be solved in new ways. This session covers integrated and ERP solutions that should work for businesses that are in the $10 million to $1 billion range. If your system has been in place for seven or more years, it is time to consider an upgrade or replacement system. Leverage the instructor’s knowledge of the market to minimize your risk. Topics:

  • Overview of mid-market solutions
  • Probable third-party solutions required
  • Accounting solutions for specific industries
  • Specific strategies to use on selecting a system
  • Guidance on preparatory steps and conversions

Technoethics
From the dawn of the Digital Age, ethical issues – with no easy solutions – have existed. These include questions relating to privacy, workers’ rights and intellectual property. And as technology advances, more issues are sure to arise. In this session, you will learn about the emerging field of technoethics and what you can do to promote ethical behavior in your organization, particularly as it relates to technology. You will also learn about some of the more notable technoethics lapses that have occurred, the fallout resulting from them and how they could have been prevented. Topics:

  • Differentiating between laws, morals and ethics
  • Examining key provisions of accountants’ Code of Ethics
  • Reviewing notable technoethics issues and cases
  • Creating a culture that advances ethics

Improving Productivity with Office 365 Cloud Applications
Many Office 365 subscriptions include powerful cloud services for improving productivity. Foundational services, such as SharePoint, OneDrive and Outlook, are joined by other powerful tools such as Teams, Planner, Power Automation, Forms and Power Apps to provide a productivity platform second to none. Don't miss this opportunity to get all the knowledge and guidance necessary to take full advantage of your investment in Microsoft Office 365. Topics:

  • Understanding the Office 365 cloud interface
  • Cloud storage with SharePoint and OneDrive
  • Full review of apps and services to improve productivity

 2:10 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. | Break

 2:20 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Current Tech Crimes – Ripped from the Headlines 

Security is a top concern for CPAs every year. Yet many hacks result from organizations not implementing effective internal controls over information technology. In this session, you will learn about critical IT-related controls using a case study approach with stories that are all new for 2020. More specifically, you will learn from real-world examples of breaches and security failures. Accordingly, you will understand how to better protect your company and its data. Attend this fast-paced session and learn more about IT-related controls you can use to prevent computer crimes such as identity and information theft, tax refund fraud and more. Topics:

  • Data breach and computer security tips
  • Security awareness training
  • Current events
  • Improving your security knowledge

DAY TWO 

8 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.

The Very Real Risk of Ransomware
Over the past two years, ransomware has surged as a major threat to individuals and organizations of all sizes. To illustrate the threat ransomware is, its annual cost to businesses is now estimated at over $8 billion, up from $1 billion in 2016. Against that backdrop, ask yourself “am I at risk?” Of course, the likely answer is “yes.” To reduce this risk, you should participate in this session where you will learn how you can avoid becoming yet another victim of ransomware. The survival of your business may depend on it! Topics:

  • Understanding what ransomware is and how it is transmitted
  • Exploring a variety of high-profile ransomware cases
  • Developing an action plan to reduce your individual and organizational risk

 9:40 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. | Break

9:50 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Concurrent sessions

Profiting from Client Advisory Services
Client Advisory Services (CAS) can be a profitable addition to your practice. How do you develop an effective, profitable offering? What are the considerations for service creation, controlling scope creep, people management, product selection and scalability? What services should be offered? While many vendors have CAS programs they want you to adopt, when you attend this session you will receive an independent blend of profitable strategies and straightforward advice. Topics:

  • Service offerings to consider
  • Software options for a CAS practice
  • Procedures to consider for your firm
  • Specific techniques to improve productivity and profitability
  • Key errors to avoid

Advanced Topics in Power BI
So, you’ve been using Power BI to create fundamental reports and dashboards and now you’re ready for even more advanced reporting. If so, this session is for you, where you will learn how to extend your Power BI environment by incorporating tools such as Data Analysis Expressions, Key Performance Indicators, Hierarchies, and Apps and Content Packs, among others. By taking advantage of the tools and techniques covered in this session, you will be able to move beyond simple reports and dashboards in Power BI and truly leverage the power of this awesome reporting tool. Topics:

  • Creating formulas in Power BI with Data Analysis Expressions
  • Adding Key Performance Indicators to your Power BI reports and dashboards
  • Managing security in Power BI
  • Publishing your reports and dashboards to Apps and Content Packs for easy sharing with other team members

Understanding Workflow and Automation Essentials
Proper workflow optimizes a business for profitability. Once your workflow is optimized, you can automate it with a variety of software tools. In this session, you will learn how to set up workflow processes properly. You will also learn about a variety of tools that you can use to achieve automated workflow. We’ll review Zoho Flow, Power Automate, XCM and Automation Anywhere, as well as other robotic process automation (RPA) tools. This session will provide a road map on workflow technologies and choices you can implement now. Topics:

  • Process documentation
  • Software options
  • Practical tools you can use today and may even own now
  • Tips on optimizing workflow
  • Demonstration of workflow concepts

 11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. | Lunch

 12:20 p.m. – 1:10 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions

Choosing Small Business Accounting Solutions
Small businesses have new and traditional choices in accounting solutions. In addition to traditional solutions like QuickBooks and Sage 50, there are Software as a Service options such as Gravity Software, Zoho Books, QuickBooks Online, Xero, Accounting Suite, Accounting Power and many more. This session covers accounting solutions that should work for businesses that are startups up to $10 million in size. Attend this session so you’ll know the best options for accounting in small business. Topics:

  • Overview of small business accounting solutions
  • Traditional desktop and SaaS small business products
  • Shortfalls of specific accounting solutions
  • Strengths and weaknesses of various solutions
  • Setup and configuration tips

The Perfect Storm – Data Governance and Data Privacy Regulations
How do you control the data you are responsible for? Consider the impact of the May 2018 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), as well as the December 11, 2019 introduction of a law in India giving authorities sweeping access to data and the most important piece of U.S. legislation, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which is in force as of January 1, 2020. Companies like Microsoft and Apple not only claim they are ready, but they plan to implement CCPA across the country. What about your business? Have you completed your implementation? Attend this session to learn practical steps you can take to be compliant with mandated regulations. Topics:

  • Data transparency and access
  • Data deletion and portability
  • Definition of personal information
  • User opt out and the right to be forgotten
  • Understanding the fines and risks

Emerging Technologies – 2020 and Beyond
Emerging technologies are changing so fast, it is hard to predict the future. Quantum supremacy may be driven by the Dowling-Neven Law of double exponential growth. We are seeing this in quantum computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotic process automation. How can you keep from being blind-sided by a technology like blockchain or predictive analytics? This session will provide a road map on emerging technologies and choices you can implement now. Topics:

  • Hardware enablement
  • Software evolution
  • Practical tools you can use today
  • Unusual emerging technologies to watch in the future
  • Emerging technologies that are not ready for prime time

 1:10 p.m. – 1:20 p.m. | Break

 1:20 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. | Concurrent sessions

Enhancing Small Business Accounting with Add-Ons
A complete accounting software solution almost always includes additional add-on products. For example, it is hard to accurately calculate sales tax, do budgeting or have adequate reporting without third party add-ons. This session will provide guidance on some of the best add-ons in the market. If you have needs that are not met with your current solution, you may not need to change your base solution. You may just need the right add-on! Attend this session to discover the best of the best extensions for accounting software. Topics:

  • Overview of third-party add-on solutions
  • Review add-ons for both traditional desktop and SaaS small business products
  • Shortfalls of specific add-on solutions
  • Strengths and weaknesses of various solutions
  • Broad range of needs covered

The Hows and Whys of Creating User-Defined Functions in Excel
With approximately 500 functions already present, Excel seemingly has a function for every need. But sometimes the function YOU need just simply isn’t available. For example, Excel does not have functions to calculate income tax expense or, in many cases, depreciation expense. To solve these shortcomings, you can create User Defined Functions (UDFs). UDFs provide you with the opportunity to create functions for use in any of your formulas and automate your most complex calculations. Join us to learn how to put the power of UDFs to work to simplify and automate even your most complex calculations. Topics:

  • Examining UDFs relative to macros
  • Identifying the steps necessary to create UDFs in Excel
  • Understanding where you should save UDFs
  • Key syntax when creating UDFs
  • Incorporating UDFs into your workbooks

Implementing Security and Privacy Policies
How do you communicate the security needed in your organization to your IT team? When was the last time you updated your security policies? Are you compliant with the current regulatory environment and is your business using best practices that reflect the threats of today? Attend this session to receive a suggested security strategy and checklist, as well as sample documents to use as models to update your own policies. Topics:

  • Data security checklist
  • Minimum security protections
  • Examples of policies that comply with regulations
  • Suggested implementation strategy
  • Security guidance that you can provide to others

 2:10 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. | Break

2:20 p.m. – 4 p.m. - Next Generation Excel Reporting
New and improved features in Excel tools such as Power Query and Power Pivot mean that yesterday’s techniques for generating reports in Excel are obsolete. Best practices for next generation reporting include building queries and transformations using Power Query, adding user-defined calculations with Data Analysis Expressions, managing data models in Power Pivot, reducing dependency on formulas with PivotTables and adding visualizations where appropriate. Participate in this session so that you can learn the best practices for preparing and automating your Excel-based reports. Topics:

  • Key issues with traditional reporting models
  • The roles associated with various Excel features, including Power Query, Power Pivot, Data Analysis Expressions and PivotTables in Excel-based reporting environments
  • How to create “repeatable/refreshable” reports in Excel that link data from external data sources
 

Faculty

Randy Johnston, MS's Profile

Randy Johnston, MS Related Seminars and Products

Shareholder

K2 Enterprises


Randy Johnston is a nationally recognized educator, consultant, and writer with over 40 years experience in Strategic Technology Planning, Accounting Software Selection, Paperless, Systems and Network Integration, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning, Business Development and Management, Process Engineering and outsourced managed services.


Stephen Yoss, CPA, MS's Profile

Stephen Yoss, CPA, MS Related Seminars and Products

K2 Enterprises


Stephen M. Yoss, Jr., CPA, MS, is a certified public accountant, the senior technology strategist and partner of Devmatics, a continuing education instructor for financial professionals, and a licensed pyrotechnician. While his interests and skills are varied, they all share a common thread—his love for and skill in finding technology-based solutions.

At age 10, Stephen began working with technology; he started his first IT company at just 13, which focused on designing web applications for local businesses. At 15, he began writing original computer code and has been designing and implementing technological solutions continuously since then.

Stephen is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University, with degrees in Accountancy and International Business. While at Loyola, he served the campus as student body president and as the student representative to the Board of Trustees. He has a Master’s of Science degree in Information Systems and Technology from Claremont Graduate University with a concentration in Geographic Information Systems.

In 2017, Stephen formed Devmatics, a company focused on helping organizations develop technology strategies to streamline their business operations. He specializes in taking on high-difficulty, mission-critical organizational issues that require technological expertise and an ability to find solutions to problems that no one else can answer. With all of his clients, he emphasizes the need to embrace technology at every opportunity and utilize the latest technological trends and breakthroughs in order to gain a competitive advantage while increasing efficiency and productivity.

Prior to starting Devmatics, Stephen worked as an accountant in his family’s practice, Yoss & Allen. At Yoss & Allen, he completely redesigned the firm’s technology practices and instituted a technological infrastructure to streamline the firm’s practices and allow them strategic flexibility. Many of the technologies, strategies, and concepts that Stephen uses himself (and consults companies on how to use) were designed, perfected, and implemented to help his family’s business and their clients. In addition to his time with Yoss & Allen, Stephen worked in New Zealand as a management accountant.

Since 2009, Stephen has also been teaching continuing professional education, providing written, webcast, in-house, and live instruction. He has presented to thousands of practitioners worldwide on topics such as cloud computing, mobile technology, Excel tips and best practices, data modeling and analysis, big data, information security, identity theft prevention, and more.

Stephen is also a professionally licensed pyrotechnician and works on major fireworks displays throughout the nation for Pyro Spectaculars, North America’s largest full-service fireworks display production company. He’s proud to have helped produce incredible displays, including the Macy’s July 4th Spectacular in New York City, the 75th Anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, KGB Skyshow in San Diego, and many more.

Whether it’s teaching in the classroom, consulting clients in a boardroom, or shooting a fireworks display, Stephen brings passion, hard work, value—and above all else—technological expertise to each of his clients. With an open, honest approach, he creates a unique strategy for each client specifically designed to benefit their needs and streamline their operations in order to create efficiency and maximize their financial potential.

Stephen calls Big Bear Lake, CA, home; when he’s not at the desk, in a boardroom, at the podium, or producing a fireworks display, he spends as much time as he can pursuing his other passions. He is an avid music lover and attends multiple festivals each year. At the Burning Man, Stephen helps setup and produce pyrotechnic displays for the city. In Big Bear Lake, he regularly volunteers his time to perform various community services. He’s also an avid outdoorsman and regularly carves out time to scuba dive, camp, hike, and photograph both close to home with family and friends and on his many travels.


Brian Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA Related Seminars and Products

K2 Enterprises


Brian Tankersley is a consultant who advises US firms and companies on accounting technology issues. Mr. Tankersley is a frequent speaker at continuing education courses for K2 Enterprises, and publishes a nationally recognized blog on accounting and technology (www.cpatechblog.com). He has also served as the technology editor for a major accounting industry publication. Mr. Tankersley has over 25 years of professional experience, including accounting, auditing, technology, and education, and has been with K2 Enterprises since 2005, and he is also one of the national instructors for Yaeger CPA Review.


Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA's Profile

Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA Related Seminars and Products

K2 Enterprises


Tommy Stephens received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree (Major in Accounting) from Auburn University in 1985. Upon graduation, Mr. Stephens began working for an Atlanta-based public accounting firm. After earning his designation as a Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Stephens worked for BellSouth Corporation in Atlanta as an Internal Auditor. After two years as an auditor, he was promoted to Staff Manager and then Operations Manager of the Internal Audit Group. In 1991, he transferred to the Comptrollers’ department of BellSouth and served as Manager of the Cost Accounting organization. While working full-time at BellSouth Corporation, Mr. Stephens also attended graduate school, earning a Masters of Science (Major in Finance) from Georgia State University in 1992.


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